Yeah I said it, the “B” word….Budget. My FPU class just finished Lesson Three called Cash Flow Planning, and when most of us think about a budget, all kinds of negative thoughts surface. First we think it will keep us from having fun. If you are like me then you may have thought it was more trouble than it was worth. Seriously, why should we do a budget when it always seems to collapse midway through the month? Most of us have avoided doing a budget our entire life all because of these misconceptions. The truth is that the budget […] Read more »
My Payments Ate My Savings!
America has no use for Piggy Banks anymore! America is in the RED! With a negative savings rate, America is in DESPERATE need of a Total Money Makeover. What will it take? When will people finally understand why saving money is too important to ignore? America needs new priorities, like yesterday! As one of the very many bloggers who blog about money and personal finance, it is my duty to help spread the word. How much do YOU have saved up? What in the world is keeping us from doing what we know we should? Is your savings account overflowing […] Read more »
Financial Peace University Comes To Charlottesville
It is now official! FPU is coming to Charlottesville, specifically to Trinity Presbyterian Church! The preview will be on July 20th at 6:00 p.m., and the classes will begin on August 3rd! During this time I will be using this blog to get the word out. Almost everything you see will have something to do with FPU. I have created my own video to start things off! ENJOY! UPDATE: We have obviously not reached our original goal of September of 2008. That goal was set based on everything working out perfectly. As you know that only happens in the movies. […] Read more »
That’s Right Diane Sawyer, You Should Pay Your Credit Cards LAST!
I watched a video where Dave Ramsey and Clark Howard were being interviewed by Diane Sawyer. In the interview, Diane Sawyer looked bewildered that they would suggest to pay the credit cards last. Then I saw another video that pretty much illustrated why Americans are on the wrong track financially. In this interview, Mellody Hobson is telling us how to survive an economic crisis. Some of her advice may be OK, but her answer on how to prioritize your bills lead me to believe that she is a lunatic!! She says you should pay your credit cards first so you […] Read more »
What If You Were Recession Proof?
Are we experiencing a recession? That seems to be the question of the year. If you watch the news, you are probably convinced that you should just give up. Don’t start digging that bunker just yet. The truth is that the U.S. is merely growing at a slower rate. From January to March the economy grew at the same rate of 0.6 percent, as the last quarter of 2007. Slow, but still growing. A recession is defined as a period of economic decline; specifically, a decline in GDP, for two or more consecutive quarters. Maybe we should wait until we […] Read more »
In (F.I.C.O.) We Trust?
“Everyone” says you should get a credit card so you can establish credit. Well, the truth is “Everyone” is Broke!! You want to establish credit so you can one day buy a house, right? That’s what most people believe they are doing or at least that is the reason they give for getting a credit card. I believe that it is the beginning of a cycle that ends up becoming a nightmare! Why would you need to have good credit? You would need to have good credit if you are planning to borrow money. If you do not plan on […] Read more »
Are Your Priorities Backwards?
I keep seeing this commercial on T.V. and everytime it drives me just as crazy as the time before! The line that drives me absolutely mad is this one: “Far too many Americans health care and financial security are at risk.” It goes on to say that, “Health Care costs are driving American families into bankruptcy.” AHHHHHHH! That is exactly what is wrong with this country today!! What is driving American families into bankruptcy is American families! It is US that is responsible for these stupid decisions that we make, not health care costs! Sure health care costs may […] Read more »
Cause and Effect (picture blog)
CAUSE & EFFECT It’s basically as simple as this. If you don’t have debt and lots of payments, your income becomes a tool for you to plan, give, build wealth, and save! Often people try to get out of a problem by fixing the symptom instead of the problem. If you are struggling financially and you are wondering why, add up all of your debt payments. In most cases the solution will be right in front of you. If you had $1,000 more a month to spend because you didn’t have the car payments, you would […] Read more »